Things To Do in Texas This Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov. 23-26

There's so much to be thankful for this weekend—including Holiday Wonder, a new, family-friendly holiday lights display in Dallas; San Antonio's Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, the largest and longest-running mariachi music festival in Texas; and Galveston's Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival, rescheduled to this weekend after Hurricane Harvey.

Wichita Falls: Nov. 20-Dec. 25One of the largest holiday displays of its kind, its purpose is to provide a festive atmosphere on the Midwestern State University campus, to serve as an outreach to the community, and to be a focal point for holiday activities in North Texas. The installation is filled with individual displays that showcase themes or characters from well-known children's stories, fairy tales, and holiday icons. Every evening after dusk, enjoy nearly 40 animated/lit displays that showcase themes or characters from well-known children's stories, fairy tales, and holiday icons.

Dallas: Nov. 21-Jan. 7Debuting at Fair Park this weekend, this new family-friendly event celebrates the season of light and magic with interactive attractions, performances, and food from around the world. Visitors will marvel at more than 2 million lights bringing to life holiday favorites in giant illuminated eye-catching displays, including stunning winterscapes, beautiful floating swans, perennial holiday favorites (including Santa Claus), and more. Guests will walk through a holiday wonderland that includes an enchanting snowflake corridor, playful polar bears and penguins, a 48-foot-tall Christmas tree, and more than a few holiday surprises. All displays are handmade by artisans whose specialized skills in lanterns go back generations, and are all-new, custom creations for this festival.

San Antonio: Nov. 24The city's holiday festivities kick off the day after Thanksgiving, when a switch is flipped to illuminate the River Walk's holiday display and kick off the Ford Holiday River Parade. Some 150,000 patrons will line the riverbanks to experience the sounds and colors of the season with an entourage of radiant floats. The parade goes on, rain or shine.

San Antonio: Nov. 24-Dec. 31It's your chance to step away from the holiday whirlwind of traffic and malls and enjoy the season in nature. Guests will find many a spot to capture a memory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, with picturesque backgrounds for family photographs.

Austin: Nov. 24-Dec. 24 A fixture of the Austin holiday season. Shoppers can browse thousands of original works ranging from serious art to fun and kitschy items. A great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists.

Arlington: Nov. 24-Dec. 31 Globe Life Park will feature an ice skating rink and more than 2 acres of lighted Christmas mazes and displays while incorporating an Arlington favorite, the Texas Christkindl Market as the new Texas Christkindl Market Lane.

Galveston: Nov. 24 Celebrate the start of the holidays at Hotel Galvez & Spa with the city's official holiday lighting. Festivities include a special appearance by Santa Claus, live holiday entertainment by local entertainment including the Galveston Ballet, and the lighting of the hotel's 35-foot Christmas tree on the front lawn. During the event, the hotel collects donations for the Salvation Army of Galveston County.

Fredericksburg: Nov. 24-Jan. 2Annual seasonal outdoor ice skating event to benefit The Heritage School, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg. Also on Friday, the town hosts its annual Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and German Pyramid, capturing the spirit and celebration of Christmas through the town's rich German heritage with refreshments, caroling, and the countdown to flipping the switch.

Galveston: Nov. 24-25 One of the most delightfully enchanting Christmas shows ever, featuring glittering costumes, a dazzling cast, and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole. Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable, nostalgic journey at The Grand 1894 Opera House, with enough fun and festive cheer to power all the Christmas lights in Galveston. Holiday favorite songs include "White Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Let it Snow," and more.

Galveston: Nov. 24-26 One of the largest craft beer festivals in Texas, this event (rescheduled from Labor Day weekend following Hurricane Harvey) at Moody Gardens will feature more than 400 craft beers, live music, educational seminars, and more.

Boerne: Nov. 24-25The 18th annual celebration officially kicks off the holiday season in Boerne, spreading tidings of good cheer and merriment galore. Shop for unique holiday gifts along Boerne's Hill Country Mile for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday while the whole family enjoys live musical entertainment, Dickens-era theatrical performances, a variety of children's activities including Santa and a 60-foot snow slide, live ice sculpting shows, horse-drawn carriage rides, snow on Main Street, and more.

San Antonio: Nov. 25-Dec. 23 The world's first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone's enjoyment, Morgan's Wonderland will host its holiday event on Friday and Saturday evenings, Nov. 24-Dec. 16, plus Dec. 18-23. Enjoy a winter wonderland—sparkling lights, carolers, Santa Claus, and the 25-acre park's popular wheelchair-accessible rides and other attractions.

San Antonio: Nov. 26-Dec. 2The 23rd annual week-long mariachi music festival that draws the world's top mariachi artists. The Extravaganza is the largest and longest-running mariachi music festival in Texas, and is known for presenting world-class artists.

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Published monthly by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages travel to and within the Lone Star State and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.